Many of us, me included, use the terms AIDS and HIV interchangeably, not fully realizing how very different the two are. HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is the virus that can evolve into AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome), while AIDS is the syndrome in which the sufferer’s immune system stops working which often proves fatal to the carrier. Without any type of medication, the average time for HIV to develop into AIDS is approximately nine or ten years. Once a patient is diagnosed with AIDS, the average survival span is just over nine months. So, at what point does HIV spiral into AIDS?
Research from an August 2007 study done by UC Irvine demonstrates how HIV transitions into AIDS and offers a way to perhaps halt this transition in HIV patients. One breakthrough involves how HIV evolves within a patient. Most scientists subscribe to the belief that AIDS develops as the HIV virus begins to evolve and starts spreading at the cellular level in a more efficient manner; however the UC Irvine suggests the opposite is true. Their research indicates that once the virus has evolved into a state where it is spreading less efficiently at a cellular level, then AIDS has the chance to truly develop. In addition, a process called co-infection must occur. What this means is that several HIV units must infect singular cells to turn HIV into AIDS. If only one HIV unit infected a singular cell, more than likely, AIDS will not be able to evolve. What this suggests is if researchers are able to stop more than one HIV unit from infecting a singular cell, AIDS could be stopped dead in its tracks. Dominic Wodarz, a UC Irvine biologist working on this study explains, “If this is true, a new approach to therapy could be used to block the process of co-infection in cells. This would prevent deadly HIV strains from emerging and the patient would remain healthy, despite carrying the virus.”
When a person contracts HIV, there are three phases that occur. The first phase takes place in the initial weeks of infection. At this point, the level of the virus within the infected person’s system spikes and symptoms very much like the flu begin to appear. The second phase is called the asymptomatic phase. During this second phase which lasts anywhere from eight to ten years, the level of the virus in the system begins to diminish. In the third and final phase, the transition to AIDS begins and the infected person’s immune system begins to disintegrate. With no immune system, a person is susceptible to many types of infections and death usually occurs.
Research studies to this point had not definitively determined at what point the asymptomatic state progresses into the final phase of AIDS. As mentioned earlier, many scientists believed that as in evolution, the virus grew stronger and was better able to grow, thereby causing HIV to transition. The model developed by Wodarz, however, counteracts this belief. His model which demonstrates the virus spreading and the speed at which it destroys cells suggests that when HIV turns deadly, the strains that kills are not the ones that are the fastest spreading, but rather the slower spreading ones. Wodarz proposes that with further positive testing of this theory, AIDS researchers may be able to devise a drug that prohibits more than one HIV unit from infecting a cell. Thus, the transition to AIDS would not occur.
Showing posts with label aids. Show all posts
Showing posts with label aids. Show all posts
Friday, 29 May 2009
Sunday, 15 March 2009
African Fertility Clinics for AIDS Patients
For decades, AIDS has spread across the globe, leaving devastation and death in its path. However, no continent has been harder hit than Africa. Of the roughly 33 million people living with HIV/AIDS today, approximately two-thirds of those reside in Africa. Glancing over the statistics, especially those dealing with children who are infected with the virus, is eye-opening and saddening. In South Africa alone, over 250,000 children are suffering from the virus; close to 2 million children live with HIV in all of Africa. It is enough to make the heart break. Now, there is a tiny glimmer of hope in Cape Town, South Africa. A fertility clinic located in this region has recently begun offering the chance for couples who are infected with HIV/AIDS to have healthy children.
This clinic, the Cape Fertility Clinic, is the first of its kind of Africa. It allows would-be parents who are infected with HIV (either both parents or just one) to use measures like in-vitro fertilization to have the opportunity to give birth to children who are free from the disease. Klaus Wiswedel, a director at the clinic, states, “HIV is no longer seen as a death sentence but a chronic disease. And people with chronic diseases are entitled to have fertility treatment. We can safely deliver an HIV negative child and, with the right treatment, the parent can live a long life." While the clinic caters to those couples who can actually afford these procedures, they still have at least five couples coming in and paying for the procedures each month. Some critics would argue that this is small beans in comparison to the number of children born each month with the disease, but many who support the clinic see it as a reflection of the strides Africa is making in protecting both adults and children from HIV.
Consider the fact that only five years ago, 100,000 people in Africa were on AIDS drug treatments. Today, that number has grown dramatically to roughly two million people. In addition, due to increased funding and donations, infected pregnant women receiving AIDS treatments to help shield their unborn children from the disease has grown by leaps and bounds. In 2003, only five percent of infected pregnant women in Malawi were receiving treatment and that number has grown to 32 percent only 4 years later. Other success stories can be seen in Mozambique (three percent to 46 percent), South Africa (fifteen percent to 67 percent) and Zambia (eighteen percent to 47 percent) over the same timeframe. The executive director on UNAIDS, Peter Piot, states, “The prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV is not only effective, but also a human right. We are seeing good progress in many countries, especially in parts of Africa, but we need to significantly scale up HIV testing and treatment for pregnant women."
The new fertility clinic feels that anybody who wants children should have the opportunity to have a healthy child and should not be denied that right. The clinic utilizes artificial insemination when the mother-to-be is HIV-positive; if the father-to-be is HIV-positive then the sperm is cleansed of the virus. Once the couple has conceived they are monitored by a specialist and then deliver by C-section so that the infant is less likely to have the virus transmitted to them. Wiswedel states, "We jumped into the deep end of the pool because more and more patients want to receive treatment. We saw a huge need for this."
This clinic, the Cape Fertility Clinic, is the first of its kind of Africa. It allows would-be parents who are infected with HIV (either both parents or just one) to use measures like in-vitro fertilization to have the opportunity to give birth to children who are free from the disease. Klaus Wiswedel, a director at the clinic, states, “HIV is no longer seen as a death sentence but a chronic disease. And people with chronic diseases are entitled to have fertility treatment. We can safely deliver an HIV negative child and, with the right treatment, the parent can live a long life." While the clinic caters to those couples who can actually afford these procedures, they still have at least five couples coming in and paying for the procedures each month. Some critics would argue that this is small beans in comparison to the number of children born each month with the disease, but many who support the clinic see it as a reflection of the strides Africa is making in protecting both adults and children from HIV.
Consider the fact that only five years ago, 100,000 people in Africa were on AIDS drug treatments. Today, that number has grown dramatically to roughly two million people. In addition, due to increased funding and donations, infected pregnant women receiving AIDS treatments to help shield their unborn children from the disease has grown by leaps and bounds. In 2003, only five percent of infected pregnant women in Malawi were receiving treatment and that number has grown to 32 percent only 4 years later. Other success stories can be seen in Mozambique (three percent to 46 percent), South Africa (fifteen percent to 67 percent) and Zambia (eighteen percent to 47 percent) over the same timeframe. The executive director on UNAIDS, Peter Piot, states, “The prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV is not only effective, but also a human right. We are seeing good progress in many countries, especially in parts of Africa, but we need to significantly scale up HIV testing and treatment for pregnant women."
The new fertility clinic feels that anybody who wants children should have the opportunity to have a healthy child and should not be denied that right. The clinic utilizes artificial insemination when the mother-to-be is HIV-positive; if the father-to-be is HIV-positive then the sperm is cleansed of the virus. Once the couple has conceived they are monitored by a specialist and then deliver by C-section so that the infant is less likely to have the virus transmitted to them. Wiswedel states, "We jumped into the deep end of the pool because more and more patients want to receive treatment. We saw a huge need for this."
Monday, 9 February 2009
Condoms - The Successive Steps of AIDS Prevention
AIDS has long been a source of intense concern on the international scale, but as time has gone on there have been many advances both in sociological changes and in behavioural changes that have helped to neutralize this particular illness in many areas of the world. AIDS prevention is therefore a successful endeavour if done correctly and while more permanent and better AIDS prevention methods are being developed, it behoves us as a population to try and utilize the AIDS prevention methods we currently have in order to try and reduce the spread of this illness as much as possible. To that end, there are several steps that you can take in order to help the AIDS prevention cause.
The first and most obvious step in terms of AIDS prevention is to simply abstain from having sex altogether. This is of course an activity that few people have the ability to do, but there are some for which sex is really not that big a priority and those people can protect themselves to a larger degree by making sure they avoid sex whenever they can. Avoiding sex alone will not make you 100% immune to catching AIDS, but it will go a long way towards helping ensure that your AIDS prevention efforts are successful in some way, shape or form.
For people that are simply not going to be able to avoid sexual activity for one reason or another, a much more reasonable step to take might be to cut down on the number of sexual partners that you have. The number of times you have sex with a different person can drastically contribute to an increased chance of contracting AIDS and for that reason ensuring that you are in a monogamous relationship or at least taking measures to reduce the number of sexual partners you have can go a long way towards helping you cut down on your chances of contracting AIDS.
If you decide to cut down on the number of sexual partners you have however, you will need to do something else in order to help your AIDS prevention efforts along. A good idea would be to wander into the realm of contraceptives and start utilizing them as a way to augment your protection against the AIDS virus. Condoms, diaphragms or any other contraception method that prevents the mixing of fluids would be suitable if your main goal is AIDS prevention. There are other birth control methods on the market such as pills that are not effective for preventing STD transmission for the simple reason that they do nothing to prevent the mixing of fluids which is where all of these diseases come from in the first place.
Preventing the spread of AIDS is something that everyone should be interested in if for no other reason than to ensure a higher standard of living. Smart sex and safe sex rather than unprotected sex is such a small price to pay for something as important as preventing the spread of AIDS.
The first and most obvious step in terms of AIDS prevention is to simply abstain from having sex altogether. This is of course an activity that few people have the ability to do, but there are some for which sex is really not that big a priority and those people can protect themselves to a larger degree by making sure they avoid sex whenever they can. Avoiding sex alone will not make you 100% immune to catching AIDS, but it will go a long way towards helping ensure that your AIDS prevention efforts are successful in some way, shape or form.
For people that are simply not going to be able to avoid sexual activity for one reason or another, a much more reasonable step to take might be to cut down on the number of sexual partners that you have. The number of times you have sex with a different person can drastically contribute to an increased chance of contracting AIDS and for that reason ensuring that you are in a monogamous relationship or at least taking measures to reduce the number of sexual partners you have can go a long way towards helping you cut down on your chances of contracting AIDS.
If you decide to cut down on the number of sexual partners you have however, you will need to do something else in order to help your AIDS prevention efforts along. A good idea would be to wander into the realm of contraceptives and start utilizing them as a way to augment your protection against the AIDS virus. Condoms, diaphragms or any other contraception method that prevents the mixing of fluids would be suitable if your main goal is AIDS prevention. There are other birth control methods on the market such as pills that are not effective for preventing STD transmission for the simple reason that they do nothing to prevent the mixing of fluids which is where all of these diseases come from in the first place.
Preventing the spread of AIDS is something that everyone should be interested in if for no other reason than to ensure a higher standard of living. Smart sex and safe sex rather than unprotected sex is such a small price to pay for something as important as preventing the spread of AIDS.
Wednesday, 28 January 2009
Safe Sex Methods, Part III
Method #6: The Birth Control Pill
As you can probably guess from the title of this particular method, it is a method that has to do with preventing pregnancy rather than preventing disease. For this reason, if you are interested in something like AIDS prevention, the birth control pill is really not the method for you to choose. You should choose one of the other methods that have been noted as ways to prevent the spread of disease and the mixing of fluids, as both of those things are central to the idea of AIDS prevention. The birth control pill is something that is taken by the woman after engaging in sex. It has the ability to alter the woman’s menstrual cycle and in doing so prevent the possibility of an egg being fertilized in any way, shape or form. Of course, the pill is not 100% effective, which is why it should be combined with some other form of safe sex such as male condoms. Such a combination would also deal with AIDS prevention as well as other problems stemming from risk of sexually transmitted diseases.
Method #7: Diaphragm
This particular device does not refer to anything that has to do with the diaphragm that is a muscle in your stomach, but rather the device that can be used as a form of birth control if it is inserted into the woman’s vagina before she engages in sex. This is a dual purpose safe sex method which means that it has the ability to protect both against unwanted pregnancy and also against sexually transmitted disease. For this reason, the diaphragm is an effective AIDS prevention tool. The main problem with the diaphragm for these purposes is that it tends to be quite expensive. A woman has to undergo an examination and have the device fitted to her particular biology and for that reason it can sometimes be out of reach of many people. For a woman that can afford to have one however, it is usually a better method than condoms as over the course of time the condoms will be used and disposed whereas the diaphragm can be used an unlimited number of times after it is acquired by the woman.
Method #8: Sponge
One final method that is worth mentioning in this series of methods dealing with safe sex is the sponge. The sponge used to be a very popular method for birth control and AIDS prevention, but it has since become less popular in favour of other methods such as the use of a diaphragm. The sponge is a small sponge that is inserted into the vagina before sex takes place and contains a large amount of sperm-killing substance on it. Therefore, it blocks and absorbs the semen before it can enter the cervix and kills all of the sperm cells before they can get by. For this reason, the sponge was an older method of AIDS prevention and birth control that was very popular, but its relative expense and disposability soon found it losing ground to the female condom when that particular product was made reliable.
As you can probably guess from the title of this particular method, it is a method that has to do with preventing pregnancy rather than preventing disease. For this reason, if you are interested in something like AIDS prevention, the birth control pill is really not the method for you to choose. You should choose one of the other methods that have been noted as ways to prevent the spread of disease and the mixing of fluids, as both of those things are central to the idea of AIDS prevention. The birth control pill is something that is taken by the woman after engaging in sex. It has the ability to alter the woman’s menstrual cycle and in doing so prevent the possibility of an egg being fertilized in any way, shape or form. Of course, the pill is not 100% effective, which is why it should be combined with some other form of safe sex such as male condoms. Such a combination would also deal with AIDS prevention as well as other problems stemming from risk of sexually transmitted diseases.
Method #7: Diaphragm
This particular device does not refer to anything that has to do with the diaphragm that is a muscle in your stomach, but rather the device that can be used as a form of birth control if it is inserted into the woman’s vagina before she engages in sex. This is a dual purpose safe sex method which means that it has the ability to protect both against unwanted pregnancy and also against sexually transmitted disease. For this reason, the diaphragm is an effective AIDS prevention tool. The main problem with the diaphragm for these purposes is that it tends to be quite expensive. A woman has to undergo an examination and have the device fitted to her particular biology and for that reason it can sometimes be out of reach of many people. For a woman that can afford to have one however, it is usually a better method than condoms as over the course of time the condoms will be used and disposed whereas the diaphragm can be used an unlimited number of times after it is acquired by the woman.
Method #8: Sponge
One final method that is worth mentioning in this series of methods dealing with safe sex is the sponge. The sponge used to be a very popular method for birth control and AIDS prevention, but it has since become less popular in favour of other methods such as the use of a diaphragm. The sponge is a small sponge that is inserted into the vagina before sex takes place and contains a large amount of sperm-killing substance on it. Therefore, it blocks and absorbs the semen before it can enter the cervix and kills all of the sperm cells before they can get by. For this reason, the sponge was an older method of AIDS prevention and birth control that was very popular, but its relative expense and disposability soon found it losing ground to the female condom when that particular product was made reliable.
Sunday, 25 January 2009
Safe Sex Methods Part 1
Introduction
Sexual exploration and sexual activity are starting to become more prevalent in younger ages in the current generation. With the oversexed society that we live in today, the simple truth of the matter is that teenagers are going to be exposed to sex at younger ages and for that reason plans need to be made for when teenagers inevitably decide to have sex one way or the other and whether to use condoms or not. There are many plans that can be put in place either for prevention or for dealing with sex and one of those plans is known as the safe sex approach. The safe sex approach is built around a number of different potential methods that can be used and for that reason it has really become the most popular method for sex education in the world today. With multiple methods to choose from, each person can pick the one that they feel would be best for them in their current life situation.
Method #1: Abstinence
One of the most controversial methods of safe sex that is utilized today is simply the method of abstinence. This is not really a safe sex method when you consider that the basic premise of this method is to avoid sex until a point in time where the consequences or potential consequences can be dealt with appropriately, but at the same time it needs to be discussed in any safe sex discussion for the simple reason that abstinence remains the most taught method around as far as sex education is concerned. The argument made by proponents of this method is that abstinence is the only sure fire method for birth control and to avoid sexually transmitted diseases. This is technically true since sex is avoided entirely and with other methods a 100% success rate is a theoretical impossibility, but studies have shown repeatedly that for practical terms, there are many other safe sex methods that are just as good as abstinence that allow teenagers to explore their natural sexual impulses.
Method #2: Monogamy
When teenagers are engaging in sexual relations, there is the impulse on the part of many teenagers to attempt to do this with more than one partner at the same time. Why this impulse exists is a question for sociologists to tackle, but scientists can already show with startling clarity that multiple sexual relationships at once increases the chance for a negative side effect such as a sexually transmitted disease. AIDS in particular is a disease that has been shown to have logarithmic increases in the transmission as the number of sexual partners gets larger. For this reason, one reasonably smart alternative to abstinence is monogamy. Monogamy means having just one sexual partner at a time and it is the foundation for the deeper and more meaningful relationships that tend to develop around sex as well. While it too is not really a safe sex method in the modern sense of the word, it is nonetheless taught as such in most of the sex education classes that do not deal with abstinence.
Tuesday, 20 January 2009
Condoms and Pregnancy
Most teen girls are curious when it comes to sex in general; this means curiosity about condoms as well as other forms of birth control and types of sex. A question that can be heard all over the place among girls in wide variations of age is “Can you get pregnant if the guy wears a condom.” A lot of people are under the impression that you are one hundred percent safe as long as there is a condom present, but is it true? Do condoms always protect you one hundred percent of the time? This answer as shocking as it may be is no, even if the guy wears a condom you can still become pregnant and are still susceptible to STDs.
Condoms are usually ninety seven percent to ninety eight percent effective when used correctly. However, doing things like purchasing the wrong size condom can drop the percentage of condom effectiveness dramatically, enabling you to get pregnant even if the guy wears a condom.
When a guy buys a condom that is too small, and tries to use it anyways, the condom may roll downwards allowing semen to come out of the condom into the female’s body. If a guy is wearing a condom that is too big, semen can spill out of the edges into the female’s body. Both of these circumstances can lead in AIDs, STDs, as well as unplanned pregnancy. These things can all endanger both the male and female from having a normal life.
Condom companies like Durex condoms, Trojan Condoms, Lifestyles Condoms, and Crown Condoms among others do their best to prevent accidents with their condoms. All of these condoms make various sizes and types of condoms to enable the best protection possible and even include directions. Making sure you and your partner both know how to put on a condom is important too, it is not only the guys responsibility. If a girl doesn’t know how to put on a condom, she won’t be able to catch it if her partner does something wrong, creating a greater risk for AIDs, Sexually Transmitted Diseases, and unplanned pregnancy. By making sure you both know the proper way to put on a condom, you are insuring the safest sex possible.
Safe sex shouldn’t stop at condoms though, condoms may break and mistakes do happen. If you are a sexually active female you should also look into other forms of birth control to use, aside from just condoms and this way you are protecting yourself from becoming a mother before you are ready. The same thing goes for males, condoms are not the only way to safe sex, so educating yourself on all forms of birth control is very important. Birth control includes any type of preventative measure from getting pregnant this includes spermicidal lubrication, sponges, male condoms, female condoms, as well as other various methods and knowing all of them are really important is key. Knowledge is power when it comes to being sexually active, so make sure to keep yourself educated.
Condoms are usually ninety seven percent to ninety eight percent effective when used correctly. However, doing things like purchasing the wrong size condom can drop the percentage of condom effectiveness dramatically, enabling you to get pregnant even if the guy wears a condom.
When a guy buys a condom that is too small, and tries to use it anyways, the condom may roll downwards allowing semen to come out of the condom into the female’s body. If a guy is wearing a condom that is too big, semen can spill out of the edges into the female’s body. Both of these circumstances can lead in AIDs, STDs, as well as unplanned pregnancy. These things can all endanger both the male and female from having a normal life.
Condom companies like Durex condoms, Trojan Condoms, Lifestyles Condoms, and Crown Condoms among others do their best to prevent accidents with their condoms. All of these condoms make various sizes and types of condoms to enable the best protection possible and even include directions. Making sure you and your partner both know how to put on a condom is important too, it is not only the guys responsibility. If a girl doesn’t know how to put on a condom, she won’t be able to catch it if her partner does something wrong, creating a greater risk for AIDs, Sexually Transmitted Diseases, and unplanned pregnancy. By making sure you both know the proper way to put on a condom, you are insuring the safest sex possible.
Safe sex shouldn’t stop at condoms though, condoms may break and mistakes do happen. If you are a sexually active female you should also look into other forms of birth control to use, aside from just condoms and this way you are protecting yourself from becoming a mother before you are ready. The same thing goes for males, condoms are not the only way to safe sex, so educating yourself on all forms of birth control is very important. Birth control includes any type of preventative measure from getting pregnant this includes spermicidal lubrication, sponges, male condoms, female condoms, as well as other various methods and knowing all of them are really important is key. Knowledge is power when it comes to being sexually active, so make sure to keep yourself educated.
Monday, 19 January 2009
HIV in Hetrosexual African
As a Hispanic woman, I can say that as a race, we have a culture all our own. Weddings are usually huge with cousins of cousins attending and aunts making brisket and rice and beans in the back kitchen. Gatherings, whether they are for holidays or birthdays or graduation parties are always enormously food-centric, so instead of asking the host what you should get as a gift, you are usually asking what food and how much you should bring. All races have their own cultural norms, so it is not surprising that research studies would focus on race as a factor for behavior. A study published in the journal “AIDS” in June 2008 by researchers at the University of California at San Francisco (UCSF) demonstrates that HIV prevention techniques geared towards changing the behavior of heterosexual African Americans needs to consist of many distinct characteristics in order to be effective.
Lynae Darbes, a professor of medicine at UCSF’s Center for AIDS Prevention Studies and Global Health Sciences and the lead author of the study states, “Peer education, skills training and cultural tailoring were critical factors we found in interventions that increased condoms use, reduced HIV risk behaviors and led to lower rates of sexually transmitted infections. It is important to recognize the diversity that exists within the African American community, and we are not recommending 'one size fits all' types of interventions. Successful interventions honed in on specific aspects of the target populations." The study was comprised of roughly 14,000 participants in a series of 38 controlled trials that were randomized in terms of social norms. Some examples of the norms that were focused on include how one person might perceive their risk factor for contracting AIDS, how to reduce sexual partners, their use of condoms, how to delay the first episode of sex with a new partner or a compilation of these norms. Results from the study point towards members of the African American community educating their peers in order to be more effective.
Darbes goes on to say, “Cultural tailoring was crucial and in effective interventions was derived from activities such as formative research within the target community using a 'ground up' approach as opposed to a top down or 'parachute' approach. Understanding the community was important in developing efficacious interventions." The study analyzed the controlled trials and quantified with measurements of condom use, percentage rates of unsafe or risky sex and the number of sexually transmitted diseases reported. George W. Rutherford, a co-author of the study, states, “This study shows how the technique of meta-analysis can be used to understand an entire literature and to find subtle but important associations that single studies simply can't find."
Lynae Darbes, a professor of medicine at UCSF’s Center for AIDS Prevention Studies and Global Health Sciences and the lead author of the study states, “Peer education, skills training and cultural tailoring were critical factors we found in interventions that increased condoms use, reduced HIV risk behaviors and led to lower rates of sexually transmitted infections. It is important to recognize the diversity that exists within the African American community, and we are not recommending 'one size fits all' types of interventions. Successful interventions honed in on specific aspects of the target populations." The study was comprised of roughly 14,000 participants in a series of 38 controlled trials that were randomized in terms of social norms. Some examples of the norms that were focused on include how one person might perceive their risk factor for contracting AIDS, how to reduce sexual partners, their use of condoms, how to delay the first episode of sex with a new partner or a compilation of these norms. Results from the study point towards members of the African American community educating their peers in order to be more effective.
Darbes goes on to say, “Cultural tailoring was crucial and in effective interventions was derived from activities such as formative research within the target community using a 'ground up' approach as opposed to a top down or 'parachute' approach. Understanding the community was important in developing efficacious interventions." The study analyzed the controlled trials and quantified with measurements of condom use, percentage rates of unsafe or risky sex and the number of sexually transmitted diseases reported. George W. Rutherford, a co-author of the study, states, “This study shows how the technique of meta-analysis can be used to understand an entire literature and to find subtle but important associations that single studies simply can't find."
Saturday, 17 January 2009
Elite AIDS Case
Being elite spurs images of crystal champagne flutes, first-class airline leather recliners, private jets ready to take their passengers to whatever city their whim fancies and five star hotel suites. However, for one woman in Baltimore, being “elite” is quite a different scenario. This woman was diagnosed with HIV ten years ago and yet one would never know it as her body has never displayed one single symptom of the virus.
The Baltimore woman and her husband were both diagnosed with HIV at the same time; however, while it is necessary for her husband to take antiretroviral drug treatments daily, she has never had to take these strong HIV drug cocktails as her body naturally combats the virus. Researchers are studying this woman’s immune system very carefully as she may literally be the key to developing an AIDS vaccine. A team of researchers at John Hopkins University describe this woman as an “elite suppressor.” Joel Blankson who is heading the research team states, “This is the best evidence to date that elite suppressors can have [the] fully pathogenic virus. The feeling was initially that they had [a] defective virus.”
The woman’s immune system is different than that of her husband’s, which is apparent considering they both contracted the same virus strand. Blankson goes on to say, “That’s a good sign in terms of developing a therapeutic vaccine.” While the developed vaccine would not be able to prevent a person from contracting the virus, it would be very helpful in its treatment. With 33 million people suffering from the virus worldwide and 25 million people who have succumbed to the disease, AIDS is still a very dangerous adversary. New studies have estimated that over 55,000 in the United States alone contract the virus; facts show that the disease is usually highest in the gay and bisexual population, and among those who do not use condoms; but it can also be transmitted through drug use, heterosexual sexual encounters without safe sex, from mother to unborn child and through blood transfusions.
Blankson and his colleagues ran tests on the Baltimore woman’s immune system and discovered that her immune cells (CD8 T-cells) were able to stop the virus from replicating by almost 90 percent; meanwhile her husband’s own T-cells were only able to stop the virus from replicating by 30%. In addition, while the virus has grown weaker in her body, her husband’s virus has maintained its strength. Blankson states, “Elite suppression offers clues to vaccine researchers on many fronts: how CD8 killer T-cells can attack HIV and how a stronger immune response can force HIV into a permanent defensive state. We are trying to figure out exactly how the T-cells work in her to inhibit viral replication.” Some researchers in the study have pointed to the fact that the woman has high activity in her HLA (human leukocyte antigen) system. This system is responsible for recognizing harmful foreign bodies, like bacteria and viruses. Only time will tell what more data the researchers can garner from this woman’s case in order to help them in their quest to create an AIDS vaccine.
The Baltimore woman and her husband were both diagnosed with HIV at the same time; however, while it is necessary for her husband to take antiretroviral drug treatments daily, she has never had to take these strong HIV drug cocktails as her body naturally combats the virus. Researchers are studying this woman’s immune system very carefully as she may literally be the key to developing an AIDS vaccine. A team of researchers at John Hopkins University describe this woman as an “elite suppressor.” Joel Blankson who is heading the research team states, “This is the best evidence to date that elite suppressors can have [the] fully pathogenic virus. The feeling was initially that they had [a] defective virus.”
The woman’s immune system is different than that of her husband’s, which is apparent considering they both contracted the same virus strand. Blankson goes on to say, “That’s a good sign in terms of developing a therapeutic vaccine.” While the developed vaccine would not be able to prevent a person from contracting the virus, it would be very helpful in its treatment. With 33 million people suffering from the virus worldwide and 25 million people who have succumbed to the disease, AIDS is still a very dangerous adversary. New studies have estimated that over 55,000 in the United States alone contract the virus; facts show that the disease is usually highest in the gay and bisexual population, and among those who do not use condoms; but it can also be transmitted through drug use, heterosexual sexual encounters without safe sex, from mother to unborn child and through blood transfusions.
Blankson and his colleagues ran tests on the Baltimore woman’s immune system and discovered that her immune cells (CD8 T-cells) were able to stop the virus from replicating by almost 90 percent; meanwhile her husband’s own T-cells were only able to stop the virus from replicating by 30%. In addition, while the virus has grown weaker in her body, her husband’s virus has maintained its strength. Blankson states, “Elite suppression offers clues to vaccine researchers on many fronts: how CD8 killer T-cells can attack HIV and how a stronger immune response can force HIV into a permanent defensive state. We are trying to figure out exactly how the T-cells work in her to inhibit viral replication.” Some researchers in the study have pointed to the fact that the woman has high activity in her HLA (human leukocyte antigen) system. This system is responsible for recognizing harmful foreign bodies, like bacteria and viruses. Only time will tell what more data the researchers can garner from this woman’s case in order to help them in their quest to create an AIDS vaccine.
Friday, 16 January 2009
Is HIV / AIDS Overfunded ?
Just like we all instantly know the pink ribbon is the symbol for the fight against breast cancer, we automatically think of the global fight against AIDS when we see the red ribbon on lapels, hanging from buildings and on the bottom corner of AIDS/HIV campaign posters. Countries and organizations funnel millions upon millions of dollars a year into the fight against the HIV/AIDS epidemic which currently afflicts approximately 33 million people around the globe. In fact, according to data provided by the Global Health Council, about 80% of America’s aid earmarked for population issues and health issues goes towards the fight against AIDS. Now, what some researchers, scientists and politicians are asking is whether too much aid is being provided for this one global disease. Especially when the disease can be prevented 99.9% of the time by simply wearing condoms.
Researchers and critics have begun asking this question as they worry that AIDS is sucking money away from other pressing, but less publicly exposed, health issues around the world. With the exclusion of Africa, AIDS/HIV has become a manageable disease as some experts point out. One critic of the money being spent for AIDS/HIV is Jeremy Shiffman from Syracuse University whose studies focus on health spending, “AIDS is a terrible humanitarian tragedy, but it's just one of many terrible humanitarian tragedies.” Even more vocal on the subject is Roger England from the Health Systems Workshop. England is calling for UNAIDS to be disbanded and states, “The global HIV industry is too big and out of control. We have created a monster with too many vested interests and reputations at stake... too many relatively well paid HIV staff in affected countries, and too many rock stars with AIDS support as a fashion accessory."
Responding to England’s statements is Paul de Lay from UNAIDS, “We have an epidemic that has caused between 55 million and 60 million infections. To suddenly pull the rug out from underneath that would be disastrous." De Lay insists that while it may appear the epidemic has been managed with drugs and multiple HIV campaigns around the world, this line of thinking could not be further from the truth. England feels that the annual budget of $200 million for UNAIDS would be better suited to address more pressing health issues like pneumonia which claims more children’s lives each year than AIDS, measles and malaria altogether. England states, "By putting more money into AIDS, we are implicitly saying it's OK for more kids to die of pneumonia."
Many critics also cite the fact that health and financial resources often get misallocated. One example is demonstrated in the country of Rwanda where, in 2006, close to $50 million was allocated for the fight against HIV/AIDS, $18 million was allocated to the fight against malaria (the number one killer in Rwanda) and only $1 million was allocated to fight various childhood diseases. Activists and researchers for health issues other than AIDS fight to get any financial resources but often have a hard time drawing attention away from the popular AIDS/HIV global battle. John Oldfield from Water Advocates (an agency that campaigns for clean sanitation and water) states, “Diarrhea kills five times as many kids as AIDS. Everybody talks about AIDS at cocktail parties. But nobody wants to hear about diarrhea." With a recession currently in place, the focus of correctly allocating money for various health issues is even more pressing. States Shiffman, “I do not want to see the cause of AIDS harmed. For AIDS to crowd out other issues is ethically unjust." More money should be spent on the prevention of HIV/AIDS through safe sex education and promoting the use of condoms.
Researchers and critics have begun asking this question as they worry that AIDS is sucking money away from other pressing, but less publicly exposed, health issues around the world. With the exclusion of Africa, AIDS/HIV has become a manageable disease as some experts point out. One critic of the money being spent for AIDS/HIV is Jeremy Shiffman from Syracuse University whose studies focus on health spending, “AIDS is a terrible humanitarian tragedy, but it's just one of many terrible humanitarian tragedies.” Even more vocal on the subject is Roger England from the Health Systems Workshop. England is calling for UNAIDS to be disbanded and states, “The global HIV industry is too big and out of control. We have created a monster with too many vested interests and reputations at stake... too many relatively well paid HIV staff in affected countries, and too many rock stars with AIDS support as a fashion accessory."
Responding to England’s statements is Paul de Lay from UNAIDS, “We have an epidemic that has caused between 55 million and 60 million infections. To suddenly pull the rug out from underneath that would be disastrous." De Lay insists that while it may appear the epidemic has been managed with drugs and multiple HIV campaigns around the world, this line of thinking could not be further from the truth. England feels that the annual budget of $200 million for UNAIDS would be better suited to address more pressing health issues like pneumonia which claims more children’s lives each year than AIDS, measles and malaria altogether. England states, "By putting more money into AIDS, we are implicitly saying it's OK for more kids to die of pneumonia."
Many critics also cite the fact that health and financial resources often get misallocated. One example is demonstrated in the country of Rwanda where, in 2006, close to $50 million was allocated for the fight against HIV/AIDS, $18 million was allocated to the fight against malaria (the number one killer in Rwanda) and only $1 million was allocated to fight various childhood diseases. Activists and researchers for health issues other than AIDS fight to get any financial resources but often have a hard time drawing attention away from the popular AIDS/HIV global battle. John Oldfield from Water Advocates (an agency that campaigns for clean sanitation and water) states, “Diarrhea kills five times as many kids as AIDS. Everybody talks about AIDS at cocktail parties. But nobody wants to hear about diarrhea." With a recession currently in place, the focus of correctly allocating money for various health issues is even more pressing. States Shiffman, “I do not want to see the cause of AIDS harmed. For AIDS to crowd out other issues is ethically unjust." More money should be spent on the prevention of HIV/AIDS through safe sex education and promoting the use of condoms.
Sunday, 21 December 2008
AIDS - Prevention is better than cure
AIDS is one of the most dangerous diseases on the planet. As is the case of any diseases, AIDS prevention also is better than curing it after you gets infected. A major reason which is hampering the AIDS prevention activities around the is the lack of proper sexual education of the people involved and the taboos associated in different cultures around the world regarding condoms usage. Let us take a look at some of the major causes of AIDS infection and how to avoid those situations.
The single most important cause behind the transmission of AIDS is sexual contact. One of the partners has to be HIV positive so as to spread the virus to his/her sexual partner. And the virus spreads only when you have unprotected sex. So the key word is protection here. And condoms can do whole lot of difference here. Studies conducted on HIV positive people and his/her disease free partner who had used condoms during all their sexual activities have shown that the rate of infection is less than 1%. This proves the reliability of condoms. As long as the condoms are used properly, they are very safe. The overall safety of condoms is above 80%. And this rate goes significantly higher when the condom is used properly. The lubricants used with the condom can play a significant role in the effectiveness of the condom. Oil based lubricants can corrode the material of latex condoms and should be avoided. Water based lubricants will work fine with latex condoms and thus helping AIDS prevention.
HIV can be infected to the infant's body from the mother during pregnancy. Again if the mother had safe sex all through her sexual activities, this could be avoided. In the cases where the disease is not transferred to the kid during pregnancy, HIV can be transferred through breast milk and hence breast-feeding should be avoided.
Male circumcision is known to have a positive effect in reducing the rate of AIDS infection. As circumcision has religious as well as cultural angles associated with it, many people would be wary of undergoing the procedure even as a tool for such a worthy cause as AIDS prevention.
Medical personal like doctors and nurses are always at the risk of getting infected from infected patients. This is especially true when surgical operations are performed on the patients. These risks can be reduced to a certain extent by using protective gloves, goggles etc. Washing your hand and face routinely with soap can reduce the chances of getting infected. Extra care need to be given while handling any sharp objects like needles, surgical knives etc.
Blood transfusion is another instance when you could get infected. Only thing you can do for AIDS prevention in this regard is to use tested blood for transfusion. You may use the blood of some one you are familiar with so as to reduce the chances of infection.
Drug addicts get infected with AIDS when they exchange the syringe used to inject them selves. Some governments around the world have created projects where they provide new syringes to drug addicts so as to improve the chances of AIDS prevention.
The single most important cause behind the transmission of AIDS is sexual contact. One of the partners has to be HIV positive so as to spread the virus to his/her sexual partner. And the virus spreads only when you have unprotected sex. So the key word is protection here. And condoms can do whole lot of difference here. Studies conducted on HIV positive people and his/her disease free partner who had used condoms during all their sexual activities have shown that the rate of infection is less than 1%. This proves the reliability of condoms. As long as the condoms are used properly, they are very safe. The overall safety of condoms is above 80%. And this rate goes significantly higher when the condom is used properly. The lubricants used with the condom can play a significant role in the effectiveness of the condom. Oil based lubricants can corrode the material of latex condoms and should be avoided. Water based lubricants will work fine with latex condoms and thus helping AIDS prevention.
HIV can be infected to the infant's body from the mother during pregnancy. Again if the mother had safe sex all through her sexual activities, this could be avoided. In the cases where the disease is not transferred to the kid during pregnancy, HIV can be transferred through breast milk and hence breast-feeding should be avoided.
Male circumcision is known to have a positive effect in reducing the rate of AIDS infection. As circumcision has religious as well as cultural angles associated with it, many people would be wary of undergoing the procedure even as a tool for such a worthy cause as AIDS prevention.
Medical personal like doctors and nurses are always at the risk of getting infected from infected patients. This is especially true when surgical operations are performed on the patients. These risks can be reduced to a certain extent by using protective gloves, goggles etc. Washing your hand and face routinely with soap can reduce the chances of getting infected. Extra care need to be given while handling any sharp objects like needles, surgical knives etc.
Blood transfusion is another instance when you could get infected. Only thing you can do for AIDS prevention in this regard is to use tested blood for transfusion. You may use the blood of some one you are familiar with so as to reduce the chances of infection.
Drug addicts get infected with AIDS when they exchange the syringe used to inject them selves. Some governments around the world have created projects where they provide new syringes to drug addicts so as to improve the chances of AIDS prevention.
Thursday, 18 December 2008
Should schools provide condoms for kids ?
Even in the 21st century, it is a controversial topic in many states of America. Most people associate condoms with sexual activity. There is nothing wrong with that. Condoms are associated with sex. The problems for condoms start when people associate condoms with promiscuity. This is especially true in the case of evangelical people who are totally against condoms or sex education for kids. They argue that condoms are going to give the kids new ideas. They fear that the kids may start to experiment with condoms and sex as they have access to it. But kids are kids. They are going to experiment with sex. Condom or no condom!! The increase in numbers of STDs among teenage girls is an example of sexual activity they engage in, even without easy access to condoms. The high rate of teenage pregnancy is also showing examples of sexually active kids. There number is not going to increase, as they will have easy access to condoms. These kids should have access to condoms and that would help them in protecting themselves and the society at large by stopping the spread of AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases. It is not fair to deny them access to condoms.
Condoms must be easily available for teenage kids. If possible, sex education can be provided along with the delivery of condoms. The person who is delivering the condoms can explain the pros and cons of condoms, sex etc to the kids. The school nurse who is already present in most schools can be given this responsibility. There must be access to condoms in a different way as well. As kids are usually wary of approaching an adult to get condoms, there should be a condom machine in each school for kids to get condoms anonymously.
The easy access of condoms would reduce the rate of AIDS infection in USA. Teenagers and young adults are the ones who are getting infected in half of the new AIDS cases reported. If they get easy access to condoms at teenage years, then they will have safe sex. Two of the main reasons for kids to drop out of school are teenage pregnancy and poor health. You can avoid teenage pregnancy fully with condoms. Poor health caused from STDs can be avoided with the help of condoms to a very high extent.
There are still people who hold morality above the health or safety of kids. This issue should be considered on its merits as a public health issue. Not a moral challenge. Safe sex is just that. Safe sex. Nothing more. Nothing less.
Public schools must be providing condoms in their premises, as school drop out rate is highest there. Kids from low-income families who attend these schools are more prone to get pregnant and stop their studies altogether. Hence the availability of condoms is mandatory in public schools all over America.
Of course catholic schools are going to object to providing condoms to kids there. But the parents need to take a strong position and this would make the catholic school managements to change their position on condoms.
Condoms must be easily available for teenage kids. If possible, sex education can be provided along with the delivery of condoms. The person who is delivering the condoms can explain the pros and cons of condoms, sex etc to the kids. The school nurse who is already present in most schools can be given this responsibility. There must be access to condoms in a different way as well. As kids are usually wary of approaching an adult to get condoms, there should be a condom machine in each school for kids to get condoms anonymously.
The easy access of condoms would reduce the rate of AIDS infection in USA. Teenagers and young adults are the ones who are getting infected in half of the new AIDS cases reported. If they get easy access to condoms at teenage years, then they will have safe sex. Two of the main reasons for kids to drop out of school are teenage pregnancy and poor health. You can avoid teenage pregnancy fully with condoms. Poor health caused from STDs can be avoided with the help of condoms to a very high extent.
There are still people who hold morality above the health or safety of kids. This issue should be considered on its merits as a public health issue. Not a moral challenge. Safe sex is just that. Safe sex. Nothing more. Nothing less.
Public schools must be providing condoms in their premises, as school drop out rate is highest there. Kids from low-income families who attend these schools are more prone to get pregnant and stop their studies altogether. Hence the availability of condoms is mandatory in public schools all over America.
Of course catholic schools are going to object to providing condoms to kids there. But the parents need to take a strong position and this would make the catholic school managements to change their position on condoms.
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